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[Translator - Pot ]
[Proofreader - Kawaii ]
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Chapter 35: Priest Ordination (1)
In the Sol Invictus, the position of priest is a significant one.
Once ordained as a priest, one gains the authority to conduct Mass.
It also means being entrusted with the management of a church.
From a small village chapel to, if luck permits, even a city church.
And if one rises further in rank to become a bishop, they might oversee a grand church like the Archdiocese or Bishop Yuna.
In any case, the priesthood itself is a core ordination within the Solar Theocracy, though it holds a different meaning within the armed organizations.
"Already an armed priest… Your rise is too damn fast, don’t you think?"
Aaron’s tone was deliberately envious.
Having joined the armed organizations for the sake of advancement, he couldn’t help but feel provoked by Ray’s rapid ascent.
"Well, I’m a bit dazed myself. I thought it’d take a few more years."
It had only been half a year since Ray joined the armed organizations.
For a rookie to become a full-fledged armed priest in such a short time.
Even Ray wondered if it was alright for him to rise this quickly.
"Hey, wasn’t Ray’s success pretty much guaranteed anyway? I mean, given that… Oops."
"What is it, Sister Jenny?"
When Henry asked, Aaron and Jenny turned their heads with feigned indifference.
"Just something we can’t talk about."
Ray bore a Stigma.
Though he concealed it with gloves, a Stigma was proof of a Saint.
'Though it hasn’t awakened yet.'
The moment his Stigma awakened, he would be recognized as a Saint of the Solar Theocracy, a status transcending the mortal world.
Even the Pope couldn’t treat a Saint carelessly, so talking about mere ‘success’ would be trivial in comparison.
The problem was that he had no idea how to awaken his Stigma.
"Everyone! Good morning!"
Just then, an overwhelming presence entered the communal dining hall.
Ophelia Violet, clad in a white nun’s habit, sat beside Ray and set down her tray.
"Good morning, Miss Ophelia."
"Ray! Are you well today?"
"Thanks to you."
"Whoa… What the hell is that…?"
It was Jenny who muttered in disgust.
She stared in shock at the mountain of potatoes and bread piled high on Ophelia’s tray.
"Do you really plan on eating all that?"
"Yes, is there a problem?"
They’d all learned by now that Ophelia had a big appetite, but three meals a day like this?
"Ah, was it ‘Grand Feast Deluxe’ you mentioned before?"
"Exactly! This much is barely enough to fill me up."
"Must be nice, Miss. Burning through the food budget of ten armed priests all by yourself."
"Hey, Jenny. Tone it down."
Aaron gave her a warning look, but Jenny just pouted.
Her ingrained disdain for nobility seemed impossible to shake.
However.
"It’s fine! Since joining the Solar Theocracy, I’ve donated generously! My meals are covered by my own funds~"
"Tch… Flaunting your money like that…"
"Ah, and we’re sisters in faith now, so there’s no need for formal titles like ‘Miss.’ Though I understand commoners can’t help but revere nobility. You can just call me ‘Sister’! Ohohohohohoho!!"
"Grr…!"
Ophelia’s effortless counter left Jenny grinding her teeth.
Was this how nobles spoke? Ray and the others had once thought so too, but Ophelia was completely sincere.
She genuinely had no malice, just pure, unfiltered innocence as she reflected Jenny’s hostility back at her.
She didn’t even realize the twisted spite hidden in Jenny’s words.
'Born with pure-heartedness.'
'A terrible matchup.'
The not-quite-psychological battle fizzled out, and Ophelia turned to congratulate Ray.
"By the way, Ray! I heard you’re being ordained as a priest! As expected of you! Rising so fast!"
"Ah, thank you."
“But what will be different about being a priest?”
Ray shrugged at Ophelia’s question.
"Well… I’m not entirely sure either… Aaron, Young Master?"
"……Just learn some basics. You really don’t study at all, do you?"
"Commoners are too busy for scripture study. You nobles wouldn’t get it!"
"That’s not wrong! Commoners are already swamped with their own duties! Learning is the nobility’s role! Ohohohohohoho!"
"Sigh…"
Jenny alone was exhausting, but with Ray and Ophelia acting like idiots in tandem, Aaron found his patience wearing thinner by the day.
"It depends on which organization you join."
The Solar Theocracy’s armed organizations are broadly divided into four:
The Choir.
The Healing Order.
The Order of Holy Knights.
The Inquisitors.
'Feels like something out of a fantasy game.'
The Choir were buffers.
The Healing Order were healers.
The Holy Knights were tanks.
The Inquisitors were DPS? Not exactly, but Ray’s party functioned similarly.
"To join the Holy Knights, you need the 〈Sun's Blessing〉. The Choir requires the Ability of Hymns. The Healing Order needs the Healing ability. The Inquisitors… don’t have strict prerequisites, but they have their own standards."
"Guess the Healing Order is out for me."
"Since you need healing powers. Someone like Jenny would fit."
"I’m joining Eclipse."
Jenny’s resolve was firm.
"Why? At your level, the Healing Order would recruit you on the spot."
"Jenny’s healing is seriously strong."
During the exorcism of the Archdemon and the battles against demonics in Campbell, Jenny’s healing ensured no one died.
She was exactly the kind of talent the Healing Order would want.
"Hmm, I’m also aiming for the Inquisitors. The Holy Knight style doesn’t suit my combat preferences."
"Ah, now that I think about it, Henry really can’t use weapons, huh?"
During training, Henry was hopeless with swords and other weapons.
He was undeniably strong in combat but only when it came to his fists.
"Since Holy Knights must be skilled in horsemanship and weapon techniques, I suppose they were never an option for you to begin with."
"Then, Young Master, are you aiming to become a Holy Knight yourself?"
At Jenny’s question, Aaron nodded.
Given that his mother, Lady Amanda, was a Holy Knight, it was only natural.
"So, Ray, which organization do you want to join?"
All eyes turned to Ray.
Truthfully, Ray could take his pick.
He had the skills and the achievements.
Some organizations had already openly courted him.
"Hmm, I think I’ll go with the Inquisitors for now."
"No, you won’t!"
"You absolutely can’t!"
"……Why?"
When Ray voiced his confusion, Aaron and Jenny exchanged glances before shooting him suspicious looks.
"The idea of someone who suggests burning witches to test their faith becoming an Inquisitor is downright terrifying."
"Agreed. Little Ray, why don’t you just join the Choir or the Holy Knights?"
"What’s with you guys? I’m perfectly normal."
"……"
The silence was heavy.
Ray was starting to feel a little hurt.
"Anyway, once you officially become an armed priest, the equipment, support, and authority you receive will vary depending on your organization. I’ll summarize it for you, so choose carefully."
"Thanks, Aaron."
"Hmph… I’ll be a full member soon too."
Cold as he seemed, there was a hint of warmth beneath it.
Ray’s ordination ceremony was fast approaching.
***
Due to capacity limits, the Solar Theocracy had constructed multiple sanctuaries to accommodate the faithful.
Each of these sanctuaries rivaled a grand church, yet even they were woefully insufficient for the millions of devotees. Thus, entry was strictly regulated.
And today despite not being a scheduled ordination the Fifth Sanctuary of the Solar Theocracy opened its doors for a single ceremony.
Dong~
Dong~
The majestic toll of the church bells reverberated, filling the air with solemnity.
The long hall of the sanctuary, which would normally be packed with tens of thousands of worshippers, now stood empty.
The thought of walking it alone weighed heavily on Ray’s steps.
Of course, this wasn’t entirely unfamiliar to him.
He had been ordained as a pastor in Korea’s largest Protestant church and had often visited sanctuaries of other denominations.
He’d even met His Holiness the Pope in the Vatican. Spiritual training was something he had in spades.
But the grandeur resonating within this silent church, the devout gazes of the armed priest observing the sacred rite.
All of them had gathered for one purpose: the ordination of Ray Anderson.
Under their watch, Ray would officially become a member of the Solar Theocracy, this vast religious institution.
"Your vestments, Brother. Please wear them."
"I accept with gratitude."
Clad in black priestly robes, Ray soon heard the voice of the Archbishop calling him.
"Ray Anderson. Brother in faith and blade of our Lord Sol Invictus. Step forward."
Around the Archbishop stood Acting Deputy Commander Jonathan, representing the Holy Knight Order stationed in Campbell.
Beside him were Ivella, Abbess of the Solaryon Choir, and Amelia, Commander of the Healing Order.
This was how ordinations in the armed organizations were conducted.
"Ray Anderson. Bow your head before Sol Invictus."
Ray draped the provided veil over his head and bowed before the symbol of Sol Invictus.
Archbishop Dunwell then poured forth sanctified water, its steam rising like incense, and bestowed his blessing.
"Ray Anderson. As a blade of Sol Invictus, you have proven your faith and devotion. We elevate your station so that you may serve our Lord Sol Invictus."
Archbishop Dunwell channeled his holy power but he wasn’t alone.
Abbess Ivella, Commander Amelia, and Deputy Commander Jonathan each poured their own holy power into Ray.
This was the high priest’s blessing, performed during priestly ordinations.
Ray would grow healthier, stronger, and his body would become more attuned to holy power.
This alone granted him power far beyond ordinary priests, drawing envious gazes from the watching apprentices.
"Ray Anderson. We ordain you as a priest, a servant of our Lord. Are you prepared to dedicate your life to Sol Invictus?"
"Yes, Your Eminence. I will devote everything I have to Sol Invictus and the Solar Theocracy."
It was a moment of purity and sanctity.
Every member of the armed priest watching had surely longed for this moment themselves.
"Glory to Sol Invictus."
"Hail Sol Invictus."
Amidst the blessings and prayers of all, a new priest was born.
***
The week-long ordination ceremony, held for a single individual, had concluded.
But for the armed priest, the ceremony did not end there because the most crucial moment was yet to come.
"Ray Anderson. Now comes the time of choosing."
Acting Deputy Commander Jonathan, Archbishop Dunwell, Abbess Ivella, Commander Amelia.
The leaders of each organization stood before Ray, their gazes solemn.
"As a servant of Sol Invictus, you shall take on a new duty. We would like to present your options."
A subtle tension crackled between the leaders.
In a typical ordination, they would have deferred to the candidate's choice.
But this was no ordinary ordination.
'The youngest priest in history, already wielding two Divine abilities!'
'With a Stigma, he's a prime candidate to become the next Saint!'
'We must secure him for our organization! At all costs!'
'Ah... The Healing Order will just have to endure the pain.'
Indeed.
Ray was a once-in-a-generation priest, even by the Solar Theocracy’s long history.
He bore the 〈Sun's Blessing〉, proved his faith in prayer by summoning a holy spirit, and even acquired the Ability of Hymns through divine favor.
On his very first mission, he exterminated a witch, already boasting warlock and his apprentices kills and didn’t he outright annihilate an Archdemon possessing a noble lady?
And now, hadn’t he thwarted a warlock’s plot to consume the city and even felled an Alpha Demonic?
With such an unprecedented prodigy before them, the organization leaders were practically frothing at the mouth to recruit him.
Normally, promising candidates would be negotiated for well before the ordination but this time was different.
Faced with a once-in-a-lifetime talent, the leaders had all declared: No concessions.
"Ray Anderson must join the Holy Knights! Need I remind you, the first Divine ability he acquired was the 〈Sun's Blessing〉!"
"Since when do we decide a brother’s affiliation by Divine ability alone? His talent for hunting warlocks, witches, and exorcising demons makes Eclipse the natural fit!"
"No. Brother Ray’s true gift lies with the Choir. His genius for hymn composition is enough to move even a holy spirit. He will rewrite the Solar Theocracy’s history of prayers!"
The Holy Knights, Eclipse Inquisition, and Solaryon Choir all had valid claims, each staking everything on this bid.
Meanwhile, the Healing Order was the only organization with no prior connection to Ray could only clench their teeth in silence.
'Ah, why doesn’t Brother Ray possess the Healing Divine ability...?'
His ordination had come too swiftly.
Under normal circumstances, he would have had time to train and potentially acquire it.
'Given time, might he not gain it?'
Commander Amelia decided to shoot her shot anyway.
"Screw it. I want Ray Anderson too. A reason? We’ll make one up."
‘Whatever, I’m bidding anyway!‘
With even the Healing Order jumping in, negotiations devolved into chaos.
No one was willing to yield the future Saint, leaving the matter unresolved until the eve of the ordination.
The four leaders reached a conclusion.
"In the end, the choice lies with Brother Ray himself."
"Agreed. Let us leave it to him."
"Still, we mustn’t let the competition grow too heated. Let’s keep this civil."
They would entrust the decision entirely to Ray Anderson.
Having reached this unspoken agreement, they awaited the ceremony.
"Ray Anderson. In place of Holy Knight Commander Matthias Adelheid, I shall assist you in making your choice."
"Ah, yes... I’m listening."
"Our Holy Knight Order wishes to bestow this armor upon you, to aid in your duties as a Holy Knight."
As Acting Deputy Commander Jonathan drew back the cloth covering it, a radiant light spilled forth.
"Wh—whoa...!"
"T-that’s...!"
The sheer holy power radiating from beneath the fabric was overwhelming.
The gleaming silver armor, blazing with intense light, was unmistakably extraordinary.
Soon, Jonathan revealed its identity with undisguised pride.
"The Sacred Armor of Saint Germanicus."
"......!!"
The room erupted.
'Is this bastard serious?!'
'This wasn’t part of the agreement!'
‘You’re offering a Saint’s relic?! Have you lost your mind?!’
Jonathan calmly ignored their glares.
‘Why did you assume we’d play fair?’
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[Translator - Pot ]
[Proofreader - Kawaii ]
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